Oakland neighbors Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh are making substantial investments in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. CMU has committed that all new buildings and renovations will pursue a minimum of LEED Silver certification. CMU has eleven green facilities and seven green roofs. Pitt, meanwhile, is commissioning a new steam plant. Pitt estimates carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 46 percent when production moves from the Bellefield Steam Plant, which serves CMU, the Carnegie Museums and other Oakland institutions.

How Can Higher Education Make a Difference?

Pittsburgh’s colleges and universities play a vital role in the city’s success, from developing the next generation of leaders to generating breakthough discoveries. Similarly, Pittsburgh’s institutions of higher education have accepted responsibility for leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Green Government Task Force has submitted to City Council a series of short-term (less than 2 years), medium-term (2 to 5 years) and long-term (more than 5 years) recommendations on how colleges, universities and their 70,000 students can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.